Lacrosse ball and stick practice apparatus and method of making same

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of making same is disclosed including a portable lightweight lacrosse practice device having a lacrosse ball connected to a lacrosse stick with a return cord in such way that during return of the ball to a player conducting skill building drills the player experiences true ball roll and bounce consistent with game play without the device slipping off of the lacrosse stick and without the ball becoming entangled in the elastic cord.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Present Invention

The present invention relates generally to a lightweight portable lacrosse stick and ball return apparatus, and a method of making the apparatus. In particular the invention relates to a lightweight portable device for allowing a single lacrosse player to practice skill building drills using a lacrosse ball attached to a lacrosse stick in a novel and unique manner so the player may conduct drills by throwing the ball away from him or her and the ball will return in a manner consistent with game like conditions without entangling the return cord, the stick or the player, all while the player is able to move throughout the field of play without restriction.

2. Description of the Related Art

There have been many prior practice devices for various sports including football, soccer, baseball and lacrosse. Many of these devices include some manner of attaching the ball to a fixed object with a cord that will rebound the ball to the player in some fashion. However none of the prior art devices have sufficiently allowed a user to conduct moving lacrosse skill drills and exercises due to the particular type of equipment and game style inherent of lacrosse.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,041 issued to Banker teaches an elastic returnable practice ball designed for a baseball. For use of a practice device with baseball, a bore has been formed in the ball which passes all the way through the diameter of the ball. Thereafter, a plug is inserted into the ball to hold a cord within the ball. Finally, a cap is placed over the end of the bore opposite where the cord emanates from. Alternatively, a bore has been formed in a ball, and then a loop passed through the bore, one end of the loop emanating from each side of the bore. Finally, bores passing less than the full diameter of the ball have been used. In each of these situations, the other end of the cord is attached to some part of the user's body or a stationary object such as a pole or a tree. However, these have always held the ball insufficiently and have been relatively difficult to fabricate. Moreover, such prior art devices have not been concerned with the roll and bounce of the ball on the return because the primary action of the game is on the ball as it leaves the possession of the player.

Additionally, a baseball has different physical characteristics than a lacrosse ball. A baseball is approximately 9 inches (22.9 cm) and no more than 9¼ inches (23.5 cm) in circumference, and 5 ounces (142 g) in weight. Though baseball construction varies, generally the core of the ball is cork, rubber, or a mixture of the two, and is sometimes layered. Around that are various linear materials including yarn, twine or wool. A leather cover is put on, in two pieces, and stitched together using 108 stitches of waxed cotton thread.

For lacrosse, there have been various stationary practice devices such as return nets or cages. These devices are typically built with a large bulky metal frame and net attachments. The large size often requires two or more persons to carry and set up the device as well as a large storage container. Further, these devices are designed for practice session where the player is stationary as the devices themselves do not move. In particular the focus of these devices is to return the ball to the player after the ball has been “played” so the concern about true roll and bounce is required on the return.

As such the prior art has many deficiencies. In particular Banker's disclosed device is intended for a baseball which includes dynamics substantially different than those of a solid lacrosse ball. In baseball a batter is of course substantially stationary with respect to the movement of the baseball. Further a stationary baseball player hits the baseball with a bat that is typically no more than 30 inches long and preferably somewhere along the center of the bat which may be no more than 12 inches from the hitter's hands. On the other hand a lacrosse player is constantly moving during play and during skill building sessions. In addition the lacrosse stick can be three to six feet in length and the ball is played at the end of the stick which is up 6 feet away from the player's hands.

Unfortunately, Banker's device does not account for the distance between the end of the lacrosse stick and the player, as the ball must be returned to the end of the lacrosse stick. Moreover, Banker's device, as well as all other stationary prior art devices, fail to take into account the fact that a lacrosse player in game-like conditions is constantly moving within the game and relative to the ball. Moreover, it is critical for a lacrosse player to build skills that involve movement of the player in the field of the play and relative to the ball. These prior art devices likewise do not account for a player's motion inherent during practice and skill building sessions with a lacrosse stick and lacrosse ball.

Additionally, a lacrosse ball is unlike any other ball in any other game and has different physical characteristics compared to a baseball. Specifically, a lacrosse ball is a solid ball made from vulcanized rubber having a circumference usually between 7.75 and 8 inches (about 2.5 inches in diameter) and weights 5.25 ounces. The play of the lacrosse ball in a game and during skill building exercises is such that Banker's device, as well as other stationary devices, would not operate properly with a lacrosse ball in order to provide a genuine experience for a player conducting such skill drills alone. As a result, prior art large, bulky and stationary practice devices cannot be used in lacrosse skill building drills as such drills require the player to move in the field of play and relative to the ball.

Therefore, there exists a need for a portable lightweight lacrosse stick and a ball return devices suitable for a single player conducting skill related drills. Furthermore, there is a need for such a device to be a small, easily storable quick set up device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes an apparatus and method of making same is disclosed including a lacrosse practice device with a lacrosse ball connected to a lacrosse stick with an elastic cord in such way that a player conducting skill drills with the device experiences realistic ball roll and bounce upon return without the device slipping off of the lacrosse stick and without the ball becoming entangled in the elastic cord. The invention is advantageously small and light such that a player may disengage the device from the lacrosse stick and secure it in a small bag or pocket for safe keeping. Additionally, the small profiled of the device is advantageous over stationary prior art devices such as cages and return nets as there is no assembly required.

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a lacrosse stick and ball practice apparatus, the apparatus including a ball having a bore through the center thereof, a band having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end, a second end, a front side and a back side, the band being structured and arranged to be removably secured to a shaft of the lacrosse stick, and an elastic cord with a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the ball and the second end secured to the band at a point positioned substantially equidistant from the top and bottom edge of the band.

In some embodiments the front side of the band releasable connects to the back side of the band when overlapped where the band is structured and arranged such that when the front side overlaps the back side during engagement with the shaft of the lacrosse stick, the band is secured to the shaft by friction forces that prevent the band from moving axially downward along the shaft.

In some embodiments the cord is secured to the ball with a loop and knot combination, where the loop and knot combination includes the first end threaded through the bore at least once and secured to cord with a single knot. In some embodiments the loop and knot combination includes the first end through threaded through the bore at least once and secured to the cord with a pinch connection device. In still other embodiments the loop and knot combination comprises the first end through threaded through the bore at least once and secured to cord with an eye bolt.

In some embodiments the second end is rotatably secured to the band, where the second end is secured to the band with a swivel joint connection, and the front side of the band includes a plurality of hook connections and the back side of the band includes a plurality of latch connections, such that when the front side overlaps the backs side, the hook and latch connections engage securing the band about the shaft of the lacrosse stick.

In some embodiments gasket is thread through the bore and connected to the end of the cord. In some embodiments the gasket is circular and has a circumference of about 8 times the radius of the ball.

In a second aspect the present invention is directed to method of making a lacrosse ball return device including boring a hole through a lacrosse ball, connecting the ball to a first end of a return cord, connecting a band to a second end of the cord and releasably connecting the band to a shaft of a lacrosse stick such that the band is frictionally engaged with the shaft. In some embodiments there is also a step of threading a gasket through the bore and connecting the first end of the ball to bore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, in a non-limiting fashion, the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lacrosse ball return apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lacrosse ball according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the lacrosse ball return apparatus affixed to a shaft of a lacrosse stick according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse ball return apparatus of FIG. 3A according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a mechanism for connecting the cord to the band according one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the lacrosse ball return apparatus as shown in FIG. 3A according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6A-6D show a close-up view of the lacrosse ball and return cord connection according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the Figures in which an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The subject matter of this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Referring to FIG. 1 a lacrosse ball return apparatus 10 is shown which is constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Return apparatus 10 includes an elastic cord 13 with a first end 22 and a second end 24. First end 22 is connected to a lacrosse ball 15. There are many methods of affixing cord 13 to ball 15 however in a preferred embodiment, ball 15 includes a bore 17 through which the first end 22 of cord 13 are looped through. In some embodiments multiple loops are utilized if the player wishes to practice long throwing which will create larger tensile forces at the point of connection between the cords 13 and ball 15. FIG. 1 shows bore 17 with hatching and a single first end 22 looped through. Connection 45 may be a standard knot where first end 22 is simply knotted to cord 13 at a point on cord 13 that will provide enough of a ball roll for ball 15 and not cause tangling of the cord. In some embodiments first end 22 is looped through bore 17 and connected to cord 13 in such a manner that first end 22 is engaged directly along the circumference of ball 15.

Connection 45 may be accomplished with an epoxy, staple, pinch or compression connection so long as the roll of the ball remains true to the sport of lacrosse. In some embodiments this connection 45 includes a swivel joint or an eyelet joint so that cord 13, first end 22 and ball 15 may move and rotate independently of one another in order to create a true game like roll.

The second end 24 of cord 13 is connected to band 20 at point 29, which is preferably located substantially equidistant from top edge 37 and bottom edge 39 along a center line of band 20. Band 20 also includes a front side 31 and a back side 33. Preferably front side 31 and back side 33 frictionally engage each other when end 53 overlaps with end 50. In some embodiments front side 31 includes hook fasteners that engage with loop fasteners on back side 53. Other embodiments may include removable adhesives on one or both of front side 31 and back side 33. Still other embodiments may include snap fastener combinations, magnetic fasteners or other standard fastening methods commonly known in the art. Whichever fastener is employed it is critical that band 20 does slide along an axis of a lacrosse stick shaft when placed thereon as described below in connection with FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5. In this regard band 20 is preferably made from a flexible yet abrasive material in order to create a high friction factor with a shaft 60 of the lacrosse stick 57 as discussed in further detail below. In general band 20 may be constructed of an elastic material and dimensioned to encircle shaft 60. In some embodiments, band 20 is formed from a cotton web material and measures about 1.5 inches wide and 4.5 inches long. Alternatively, band 20 may be formed from a polypropylene fabric and measure 1 inch wide and 5 inches long. However, other sizes of band 20 or even other types of fasteners sufficient to retain band 20 around shaft 60 may be used.

Cord 13 may be formed of any material sufficiently elastic to allow deformation of the cord in the longitudinal direction sufficient to ensure the shaft 60 is not wrenched, yet strong enough to ensure that it will not break, and that ball 15 will be returned to the player.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown an exploded view of lacrosse ball 15. Bore 17 is shown in hatch lines having the first end 22 of cord 13 looped therethrough. An example of connection 45 is also shown as a simple tie knot. For purposed of explanation, first end 22 is shown as loosely tethered. In preferred embodiment first end 22 is tight fit to the circumference of ball 15 in order to prevent tangling of cord 13.

Referring now to FIG. 3A there is shown a standard “short” lacrosse stick 57. In lacrosse, defensive players have a “long” stick which can be up 6 feet long. In these “long” sticks the present invention is part curly suitable due to the distance between the player's hands and the business end of the lacrosse stick. Again referring to FIG. 3A, lacrosse stick 57 includes a shaft 60, a head portion 65 and the top end of the shaft 60 and a cap at the bottom end of the shaft 60. Head portion is connection to shaft 60 with collar 67. Apparatus 10 is affixed to shaft 60 proximal to collar 67. Preferably apparatus 10 abuts collar 67 and is substantially stationary during play. Although various lacrosse sticks have varying shapes, shaft 60 is preferably shaped into an octagon having at least edges 71 and 73 thereon as shown in FIG. 3B where there is a cross sectional view of shaft 60 according to FIG. 3A along cut line A-A. Preferably, apparatus 10 is affixed to shaft 60 such that connection 29 is positioned proximal to edge 71 such that cord 13 and ball 15 are substantially positioned on the business side of head 65. That is, such that ball 15 and cord 13 are position so that ball 15 will enter the net of head 65 without becoming entangled in cord 13. In this preferred embodiment, top edge 37 of band 20 abuts collar 67 where band 20 is secured to shaft 60 via friction forces suitable to prevent band 20 from slipping down shaft 60 toward end cap 75. Such friction forces are preferably created via a tight fitted overlap of ends 50 and 51. As mentioned above side 31 and 33 engage each other when ends 53 and 50 overlap. The manner in which sides 31 and 33 releasably connected is not critical, however that they releasably connect in such a manner as to create friction forces suitable to prevent band 20 from slipping down shaft 60 is critical.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown an exploded view of connection point 29. Connection 47 is shown with a swivel joint 82 having latch portion 85 and rotatable eyelet portion 82. Latch portion 85 is connected to band 20 at connection point 29. Band 13 is connected to eyelet 82 by looping end 24 therethrough. End 24 may be secured to eyelet 82 by any known fastening means 89 such as a compression fitting or adhesive. Other connection means are suitable for connection 47 however it is preferable that connection 47 allows for free rotation of cord 13 relative to band 20 in order to prevent tangling of cord 13.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown an exploded view of the top part of shaft 60 showing head 65 and apparatus 10 in greater detail. As can be seen end 53 is overlapped with end 50 and connection point 29 is in its preferable position located on the same side of shaft 60 as the business end of head 65, namely, the net opening.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6D there is shown another embodiment of the connection between cord 13 and ball 15. In FIG. 6A there is shown a close-up of ball 15 having radius R and diameter D and includes bore 17. Alongside ball 15 there is shown a gasket 64. Gasket 64 is preferable made from a resilient but flexible material and in some embodiments can be made of rubber. Gasket 64 preferably has a circumference C, which is equal to about 4R+2D, or 8R. IN the preferred embodiment gasket 64 has a C such that when gasket 64 is thread through bore 17 as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, ends 64 a and 64 b are substantially close and may even touch with a minor force applied thereto. As shown in FIG. 6D it is preferable that gasket 64 is tight fitting to the circumference of ball 15 such that ends 64 a and 64 b may touch under some force applied thereto by end 22 of cord 13 being tied thereto at connection point 45. Other connection methods may be applied however it is important that, as is shown, end 22 is connected to ends 64 a and 64 b such that when secured thereto, gasket 64 is substantially positioned along the circumference of ball 15. During play, end 22 and gasket 64 may flex however it is also important that ball 15 experiences true rolls and bounces as the player addresses and throws ball 15, hence the need for a tight fitting connection method as described.

It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that described herein is a novel device for While the invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments. The invention may be modified or varied in many ways and such modifications and variations as would be obvious to one of skill in the art are within the scope and spirit of the invention and are included within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A lacrosse stick and ball practice apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a ball having a bore through the center thereof; a band having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end, a second end, a front side and a back side, the band being structured and arranged to be removably secured to a shaft of the lacrosse stick; and a return cord with a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the ball and the second end secured to the band at a point positioned substantially equidistant from the top and bottom edge of the band.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, where the front side of the band releasable connects to the back side of the band when overlapped.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, where the band is structured and arranged such that when the front side overlaps the back side during engagement with the shaft of the lacrosse stick, the band is secured to the shaft by friction forces that prevent the band from moving axially downward along the shaft.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3 where the cord is made from an elastic material.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 where the cord secured to the ball with a loop and knot combination.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5 where the loop and knot combination comprises the first end threaded through the bore at least once and secured to cord with a single knot.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 5 where the loop and knot combination comprises the first end through threaded through the bore at least once and secured to the cord with a pinch connection device.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 5 where the loop and knot combination comprises the first end through threaded through the bore at least once and secured to cord with an eye bolt.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1 where the second end is rotatably secured to the band.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 where the second end is secured to the band with a swivel joint connection.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 4 where the front side of the band includes a plurality of hook connections and the back side of the band includes a plurality of latch connections, such that when the front side overlaps the backs side, the hook and latch connections engage securing the band about the shaft of the lacrosse stick.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a circular gasket thread through the bore.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, where the cord is secured to the gasket.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 where the gasket has a circumference of about 8 times the radius of the ball.
 15. A method for making a lacrosse ball return apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: boring a hole through a lacrosse ball; connecting the ball to a first end of a return cord; connecting a band to a second end of the cord; and releasably connecting the band to a shaft of a lacrosse stick such that the band is frictionally engaged with the shaft.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of threading a gasket through the bore and connecting the first end of the ball to bore. 